Can vacant sites be converted into vibrant public parks that serve as a foundational strategy for inclusion and equitable redevelopment? These examples from Baltimore and Austin demonstrate that parks, when treated as critical infrastructure, are not only green spaces but engines of social, economic, environmental, and public health transformation.
Baltimore faces the enduring legacy of systemic disinvestment, housing abandonment, and population loss—manifested in thousands of vacant lots and deteriorated properties. Yet within this urban challenge lies an unprecedented opportunity. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Baltimore Vacant Reinvestment Initiative was designed to address vacancy at scale, and includes coordinated demolitions in blighted areas with a goal of setting the stage for future redevelopment. However, land alone does not equate to revitalization—intentional reuse is essential. In this context, parks can serve as a strategic first step toward reversing decline. Through the lens of this work, we’ll hear a case study highlighting Parks & People’s collaboration with the Upton Planning Committee. Together, they have transformed vacant parcels into community-managed green spaces, offering a replicable model for other neighborhoods facing similar challenges.
Like many U.S. cities, Austin bears the legacy of a segregated planning history. The 1928 Master Plan deliberately separated communities of color, relocating Black residents to East Austin and establishing “separate but equal” park facilities. Today, 86 of Austin’s 364 parkland sites remain undeveloped—62% of which are located in East Austin—illustrating a long-standing pattern of underinvestment in park infrastructure in historically marginalized neighborhoods.
An undeveloped park site near Huston-Tillotson University – an Historically Black University – was selected as a pilot location for testing ideas. It lies within a neighborhood that was designated for segregated park use in the 1928 plan and still lacks accessible green space. Given recent demographic shifts and evolving community needs, this project prioritizes equitable access to quality parks through inclusive design and programming strategies. A key turning point was engagement with Huston-Tillotson students, who expressed their concerns about safety and limited access, while sharing their aspirations for the park — envisioning outdoor gathering, music jam sessions, and a community garden. Discussions with stakeholders and community partners identified key barriers to park activation: limited funding, complex permitting, and insurance requirements. In response, the Park Activation Toolkit was created: a step-by-step guide designed to help any Austin neighborhood activate park spaces.
Austin’s toolkit includes direct links to forms and applications, a list of permittable activities, and practical tips for navigating the city’s systems. It empowers communities to transform vacant parkland into hubs of connection and creativity. Together, this work shows how community-led greening can shift neighborhood trajectories while fostering local stewardship and pride.
